Audiences at The Market Place are in for a treat when The Motown Sensations take to the stage on 12 October.

Originally from South Africa, Darryll, Wayne and Marlon have been wowing audiences in Ireland, performing Motown and Soul hits from as far back as the 1950’s, fused with come current chart toppers.  Now backed by an incredible, multicultural six-piece band teamed with some subtle, slick choreography, The Motown Sensations have added another dimension to what was an already seriously polished outfit, enthralling all that come to see them.

Pianist Ivan Ilić will wow audiences on 13 October. Ivan took degrees in mathematics and music at the University of California, Berkeley before moving to Paris in 2001, where he was awarded a Premier Prix from the Conservatoire. Ivan has just signed a multiyear contract with prestigious UK label Chandos, and this performance will coincide with the first release. The tour will take in Italy, France, Germany, the UK, Japan, Taiwan, and the US. The programme for the evening will include Beethoven’s ‘Variations on a March’ by Dressler, Sonata in C minor ‘Pathétique’, Haydn’s Symphony no 44 in E minor ‘Sorrow’, transcribed for solo piano, Reicha’s 4 Etudes, and Chopin’s 3 Nocturnes and 3 Etudes.

Blues guitar legend Ronnie Greer has been at the centre of the blues scene in Ireland now for over 40 years, and has shared the stage with some of the leading figures in the genre. His distinctive guitar style, melding hard edged Chicago style blues licks with be-bop jazz influenced lines, has been critically acclaimed as world class. His powerhouse band, featuring some of the finest musicians in the country, needs to be heard to be appreciated. Join us on 21 October to hear Anthony Toner on guitar and vocals, John McCullough on keyboards, Nick Scott on bass, and Peter McKinney on drums, combining with Ronnie to create an evening of blues, roots, and a little jazz based music, played with style and conviction by some of the best in the business.

Visit the website at www.marketplacearmagh.com for full details and bookings, or contact the Box Office on [028] 3752 1821. And to keep up-to-date with the latest news at the Market Place Theatre, you can follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/marketplacearmagh) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/mptarmagh) where you will find all the latest information, special offers and video previews.

This Saturday night, 30 September, Northern Irish family band, Saffyre will perform at Portico in Portaferry as part of the popular Lough Lively Sessions.

Saffyre is made up of sisters Shauneen and Maria and cousin Emma. The girls grew up in a large family where music and singing was a huge part of their lives and they were influenced by Country, Folk, Pop, Blues, Irish Trad and Rock. The melodies and harmonies which are signature to the Saffyre sound are a culmination of these influences and the three-part harmony they have honed and perfected over years of recording and live performance.

After several releases here at home, the girls travelled to Florida to work with Grammy Award winning producer Jim Jonsin who co-wrote and produced the girls current release ‘Run For Your Life.’ The track has recently secured a place on the playlists of RTE Radio 1, Downtown, Downtown Country and U105.

Tickets cost £10 and are on sale now  at www.visitardsandnorthdown.com or www.porticoards.com. Show time is 7.30pm.

The final Lough Lively Session concert is taking place on Friday 20 October when Rapparees will take to the Portico stage. Book early to avoid disappointment.

The Lough Lively music events are supported by Ards and North Down Borough Council and The Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

 

This year’s Northern Ireland International Ploughing Championships is set to welcome internet sensations the Grass Lads.

Made up of Conal (17) and Lorcan (12) Murray along with Matthew (16), Caolan (15), Connor (9), Jack (9) and Charlie Gill (6) the farm mad County Down boys have now had millions of views of their home-made videos online on YouTube.

As well as their YouTube videos the boys attend events such as the Ploughing Championships, organised by the Northern Ireland Ploughing Association, to put on mini silage demonstrations using lawnmowers with small versions of Kane Trailers (silage, low loader and tip and slide trailers), bale lifter, hay rake and Malone silage wagon. Organisers have confirmed they will be appearing on Saturday September 30 at Donaghcloney.

Meanwhile over 50 ploughmen will compete at the contest next weekend (Friday September 29 and Saturday 30).  The winners will then go on to represent Northern Ireland at World and European level competitions in 2018.

 

The event organised by the Northern Ireland Ploughing Association (which is now in its 74th year) rotates around locations right across Northern Ireland and has been made possible with the support of volunteers and sponsorship from Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council and commercial sponsorship.

The two day programme sees the qualifiers taking place alongside trade stands with the finals on Saturday being geared towards spectators.  The Donaghcloney fields, kindly loaned to NIPA by Tim McClelland, will also play host to the Six Nations Vintage Ploughing Competition and Young Farmers Clubs of Ulster Annual Fencing Competition and Soil Assessment.

Attractions will include free activities for children, arts and crafts alongside the impressive range of vintage tractors and ploughs and the wonderful spectacle of horse ploughing with heavy horses including Welsh Cobbs and Clydesdale horses – an age old art for all ages to appreciate.

Northern Ireland has 7 World Ploughing Champions in its midst and the World Ploughing Championships take place in Kenya in 2017 (1-2 December).

For more information including details on how to book the opportunity to trade at the event or early bird tickets visit www.niploughing.com or www.facebook.com/niploughing

Seann Walsh tops the bill at this year’s exciting Cookstown Comedy Festival, in its new diary slot of 5th – 7th October in a line–up which also includes Andrew Maxwell, and May McFettridge in a brand new comedy drama, ‘Dirty Dusting’.

The ‘Lie-in King’ Seann Walsh takes to the Burnavon stage on Saturday 7th October for the first time with a brand new show. Described by The Guardian as “unquestionably the best observational comic of his generation”, however dishevelled he may be, the Foster’s Comedy Award nominee is also one of the best comics in the country. With a keen observational mind, Seann can spot the absurdity in everything and convert it to perfectly delivered stand-up comedy.

You might have seen Seann on TV, but he’s something else live – pacing the stage, working the room and reducing crowds to hysterics. Even if he’d probably rather be at home watching Sky Sports News. Team captain of Channel 4 and E4’s Virtually Famous and regular on ITV’s Play to the Whistle. As seen on BBC1’s Live at the Apollo, ITV’s Jonathan Ross Show and Tonight at The London Palladium, ITV 2’s Celebrity Juice, Channel 4’s 8 Out Of 10 Cats and Alan Carr: Chatty Man, Comedy Central’s Russell Howards Stand Up Central, he’s one headliner not to miss. Tickets are £16.

Renowned for his cutting edge comedy and intrepid social commentary, Andrew Maxwell is also the recognisable voice of MTV’s hit show ‘Ex on the Beach’, which is now in its sixth series. As seen on Live at the Apollo (BBC One), Have I Got News For You (BBC One), Celebrity Juice (ITV2) and Mock The Week (BBC Two). He is also the voice of Get Your Tats Out: Kavos Inc (Channel 5).

Throughout his career, Andrew has had many sell-out shows at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and has also performed at The Amnesty / Channel Four’s Secret Policeman’s Ball (alongside Eddie Izzard, Chevy Chase and Dylan Moran), Glastonbury, Kilkenny’s Cat Laughs, The HBO US Comedy & Arts Festival in Las Vegas (alongside Jerry Seinfeld and Chris Rock), and several appearances at the Montreal Just for Laughs Festival. Tickets for Andrew’s gig on Friday 6th October are £16.

When three cleaners, Olive, Gladys and Elsie, are threatened with redundancy they feel that their lives are coming to an end until a chance wrong number gives them a new business start-up idea – why not run a telephone sex line? They’ve got motive, opportunity and a lifetime of experience – some more than others, mind you.

Provided Elsie can teach the other two a few new tricks there’s no reason why they can’t get rich quick providing they can keep their operation a secret from their bosses… and their husbands…and their children…and their grandchildren.

A searing indictment of ageism in the 21st Century heavily disguised as a hysterical, laugh-out-loud, heart-warming comedy, ‘Dirty Dusting’ starring May McFettridge is on Thursday 5th October, and tickets (limited availability) are £19.50.

All shows start at 8pm and tickets can be purchased at the Burnavon Box Office, Burn Road, Cookstown; by telephone on 028 8676 9949 or online at www.burnavon.com

The SSE Arena, Belfast: Friday 25^th May 2018   Tickets go on-sale Thursday 5^th October at 9am

 

Using State of the Art Technology, Game of Thrones® Composer Ramin Djawadi Will Take Fans Of The Acclaimed, Emmy® Award-Winning HBO® Show Through The Seven Kingdoms Spanning Seven Seasons In A New, Immersive Experience.

Ramin Djawadi will lead an Orchestra, Choir and Soloists To Hit 45 Cities Throughout Europe and North America, including Belfast.

THE NEW YORK TIMES – “A symphonic spectacular.”

LOS ANGELES (September 26, 2017) – The critically acclaimed Game of Thrones® Live Concert Experience Featuring Ramin Djawadi will bring the world of Westeros to The SSE Arena, Belfast on Friday 25^th May giving fans the opportunity to watch in wonder as famed composer Ramin Djawadi leads an orchestra and choir performing music from all seven seasons of the iconic, Emmy® Award-winning HBO series. Game of Thrones Live Concert Experience Featuring Ramin Djawadi will include new music and footage from Season 7, as well a new custom stage design and mesmerizing visuals courtesy of state of the art video technology.

“Bringing the Game of Thrones Live Concert Experience to audiences earlier this year was a dream come true, dating back to an idea hatched over three years ago,” said Djawadi. “The scale and spectacle of the production brought the world of Westeros to life in a truly immersive fashion, and I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to share the experience with fans not only in North America again, but also to cross the narrow sea for the first time and bring the show to Europe.”

The inaugural run of the Game of Thrones® Live Concert Experience Featuring Ramin Djawadi kicked off in North American in February of 2017 after being conceived by Djawadi three years ago. The show was praised by fans and critics alike as a must-see spectacle for fans of the television series. The Guardian described the show as “Westeros brought to dazzling life.” Mashable called it “an epic musical journey,” while the New York Times praised it as “a symphonic spectacular.”

As rich as the stories, intrigue and world of Game of Thrones®, Ramin’s celebrated music for the show has resonated with fans from the very beginning, as the meticulously constructed songs underscored the emotional weight of key moments between beloved characters, lent scale to massive battle sequences and brought to life songs referenced in George R.R. Martin’s books.  Ramin’s relentlessly popular title track alone has become an instantly recognizable pop culture phenomenon in its own right.

“Building upon the incredible response we received from the first tour earlier this year, Game of Thrones fans are in for a treat when the updated version of the Game of Thrones Live Concert Experience makes its debut in Europe and then returns to North America next year,” said Jeff Peters, Vice President of Licensing and Retail at HBO. “The Game of Thrones fan base reaches all corners of the globe, so we are excited a wider international audience will now be able to experience Ramin’s extraordinary talent.”

The tour, produced and promoted exclusively by Live Nation in partnership with HBO Global Licensing, will continue to use innovative music tour production and video technology that will recreate the various realms found throughout Westeros and Essos as well as showcase footage from the show in addition to new imagery created exclusively for the upcoming 45 tour dates. Beginning its journey on May 8th in Madrid, the tour will visit 20 European cities throughout May and June. The North American leg will kick off 25 tour dates on September 5th in Vancouver and conclude on October 14th in Toronto.

Ramin Djawadi’s previous credits include the Grammy®-nominated score for Marvel’s 2008 blockbuster, Iron Man. Other film credits include Pacific Rim, Clash Of The Titans and Warcraft.  In addition to Game Of Thrones®, Ramin also garnered Emmy® Award nominations for other television projects including the hit HBO® series Westworld, Flash Forward (ABC) and Prison Break (FOX).  Among Ramin’s upcoming projects is the highly anticipated new film The Mountain Between Us, due for release in October.

Based on the bestselling fantasy book series by George R.R. Martin, Game of Thrones® is an epic story of treachery and nobility set on the continent of Westeros, where summers and winters can last years, and only the lust for power is eternal.  The Emmy®- and Golden Globe Award-winning series has captured the imagination of fans globally, making it one of the most popular shows on television.

Belfast tickets go on sale Thursday 5^th October via:

The SSE Arena, Belfast Box Office: Tel. 02890 739074
Book On Line: www.ssearenabelfast.com

Ticketmaster: In person: From 100 Ticketmaster Outlets Nationwide
By Telephone (24 Hour):   0844 277 44 55 (ROL: 0818 719300)
Book On Line: www.ticketmaster.ie

 

You can no longer see the Bee Gees, but you can see ‘Nights On Broadway’ at Theatre at The Mill on Friday 6 October and still experience a concert of the incredible music written by the brothers Gibb.

‘Nights On Broadway’ presents a tribute to the Bee Gees through their catalogue of hits over four decades from the 60s to the 90s.  The full live band blend the classic hits, acoustic medleys and dance floor fillers which define the show.

Known also as ‘The Irish Bee Gees’, all the performers are from Ireland with the exception of their new UK Musical Director, J Black. This live concert experience prides itself on music, in particular vocal authenticity, while the accompanying costume changes compliment the show to give audiences a truly original feeling.

Whether you favor the golden era of the 60s, the dance floor hits of the 70s, the comeback hits of the 80s & 90s or the string of hits they wrote for various artists along the way, this show has something to entertain everyone from the novice to the most discerning fan.

Tickets from Box Office T: 028 9034 0202 or online at theatreatthemill.com

 

 

The City of Derry International Choir Festival has launched the full programme of events for its fifth edition, due to take place from 25-29 October.

The city will welcome over 50 choirs to take part in concerts, competitions, workshops and community performances across the 5-day festival, with singers traveling from Denmark, Estonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Sweden and throughout Ireland and the UK to take part in the jam-packed schedule of events.

Music lovers will be treated to concerts by award-winning choir and one of the world’s leading vocal ensembles, Tenebrae, Swedish a cappella quintet The Real Group and the young “atmosfolk” duo Saint Sister, currently taking the Irish and international music scene by storm with their mix of vocal harmonies, synth and electro-acoustic harp.

The festival will feature an evening gala concert with the newly-formed 2017 Festival Chorus, a choir made up of more than 100 singers from many of the local choirs in the city and conducted by Artistic Director of the festival, Dónal Doherty. This brand new ensemble will give a performance of the hugely popular Rutter Gloria and will be joined by award-winning local chamber choir Codetta and the Ulster University Chamber Choir, accompanied by renowned organist Catherine Ennis, in the stunning surroundings of the Guildhall.

Participating choirs will compete in more than 10 categories of competition throughout the festival, including school, equal voice, mixed voice, youth choir, popular, jazz, gospel and sacred music and the highlight of the festival will see seven international competitors battle it out to win the prestigious ‘Oak Tree of Derry’ trophy and a cash prize of £2,000 in the International Competition.

In addition to its impressive evening concert series, the festival will host a number of pop-up performances on its Choral Trail in venues including Foyleside Shopping Centre, The Craft Village, City Hotel, Ollie’s of Ebrington, the Railway Station, Foyle Hospice, Altnagelvin Hospital, Ardnashee School and more on Friday 27, Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 October. A number of churches will also host visiting choirs for Sunday service on the morning of Sunday 29 October in the festival’s Sacred Trail.

An exciting new development as part of the fifth edition of the festival will see the launch of a series of conducting masterclasses in partnership with the Ulster University School of Creative Arts and Technologies. Each session will be led by a member of the festival’s international panel of adjudicators with the Chamber Choir of the Ulster University as the resident choir. Sessions will include discussion on choral training, conducting technique, score preparation, repertoire selection and choir management. Applications are now open for participants via derrychoirfest.com.

As well as conducting masterclasses, the festival will host 3 Big Sing workshops in St. Columb’s Hall for primary schools, post-primary schools and an open session for all (Saturday 28 October). These entertaining and fun workshops explore the building blocks of successful choral singing and are led by inspiring performers from the festival programme.

Fiona Crosbie, Festival Manager, says, “We are very excited to be announcing such a fantastic programme of events for this year’s festival. We have a brilliant line-up of participating choirs who will feature in venues across the city from 25 – 29 October so there’s a chance for everyone to experience the music-making on offer and join in the celebration of singing!”

Tickets are now on sale for all festival events and can be purchased at the Millennium Forum. For all festival details please visit www.derrychoirfest.com.

The SSE Arena, Belfast: Friday 4^th to Sunday 6^th May

Live show will transport fans straight into the world of Fast & Furious recreating the most awe-inspiring moments from the movies along with new stunts and story

• Fast & Furious Live brings audiences closer than ever before to this extension of Universal Pictures’ record-breaking film franchise
• World premiere on 19 January 2018 at London’s O2 arena will kick off global tour starting in Europe
• Arena tour to make additional stops in 23 cities in 14 countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and UK

 

Tickets will go on sale Friday 29^th September at 9am via:

The SSE Arena, Belfast Box Office: Tel. 02890 739074
Book On Line: www.ssearenabelfast.com

Ticketmaster: In person: From 100 Ticketmaster Outlets Nationwide
By Telephone (24 Hour):   0844 277 44 55 (ROL: 0818 719300)
Book On Line: www.ticketmaster.ie

 

London: 21 September 2017 – Universal Brand Development, Fast Live Productions, MCD Productions and tour producers Live Nation Entertainment today announced that Fast & Furious Live will premiere in London at the world famous O2 Arena on 19 January 2018 before heading to The SSE Arena, Belfast as part of the first leg of the global arena tour. The action and excitement from one of the most popular and enduring film series of all-time will come to life in this ground-breaking live-arena tour.

Creative director and executive producer, Fast & Furious Live, Rowland French said: “It’s been years in the making, and we are beyond excited to finally show fellow fans what we have been creating in order to bring Fast & Furious Live to the global stage. With this mix of extraordinary stunts, special effects, cutting-edge 3D-projection mapping – as well as drivers pushing their own limits — every performance will create an unforgettable experience for the live audience. Twenty-three cities across 14 countries is just the beginning for Fast & Furious Live.”

The adrenaline-fueled, two-hour show is set to be the most spectacular live arena production ever produced, featuring precision performance driving and newly created physics-defying stunts. Using favourite cars and locations that criss-cross the globe along with key scenes from the film series – created via state-of-the-art 3D projection mapping – fans will be transported straight into this immersive extension of the Fast & Furious movies.

“Fast & Furious Live will allow audiences worldwide to experience the extreme action sequences from the franchise through an authentic live experience,” said Vince Klaseus, President, Universal Brand Development. “With this live show, we are redefining fan access and bringing audiences closer than ever to their favourite movie moments.”

Audiences will feel the heat from flaming exhausts and marvel at vehicular acrobatics as scene after scene unfolds enhanced by the most advanced digital projection technology imaginable. Featuring several original cars from the films, as well as exact replicas of fan favourites — from Dom’s legendary Dodge Charger to the flip car from Fast & Furious 6, Fast & Furious Live will evoke some of the boldest moments from the franchise.

Thousands of the world’s best stunt performers and drivers applied for the opportunity to join the production and, following extensive auditions, have been whittled down to the ultimate elite team who have started a rigorous 4-month training camp in preparation for the world tour. They will be joined by some of the world’s leading parkour athletes resulting in a truly global cast who will be performing incredible stunts and never-before-seen live action. The cast includes stunt drivers Chris Burns and Jonathon Irwin – both from Northern Ireland.

Executive President Touring International Music, Live Nation, Phil Bowdery said: “As the world’s largest live-entertainment company, we have been part of many incredible shows, but we are especially thrilled to be working on Fast & Furious Live, which will offer fans a spectacle on an unprecedented scale.”

The European tour will debut with a ‘super-charged’ world premiere at London’s O2 arena on 19 January 2018 before heading across the continent to the biggest and best arenas including The SSE Arena in Belfast as well as massive shows in Belgium, Italy, Austria, Germany, Netherlands, France, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Denmark.

Fast & Furious Live tickets will go on sale Friday 29^th September at 9am via:

The SSE Arena, Belfast Box Office: Tel. 02890 739074
Book On Line: www.ssearenabelfast.com

Ticketmaster: In person: From 100 Ticketmaster Outlets Nationwide
By Telephone (24 Hour):   0844 277 44 55 (ROL: 0818 719300)
Book On Line: www.ticketmaster.ie

 

Presale information:

VIP Packages available at: www.vipnation.eu/fastandfuriouslive

Further details can be found at www.fastandfuriouslive.com

It’s set to be ‘wheely good fun’ as Ciclovia Belfast gears up to create a traffic free cycle route in the heart of Belfast City for the third time.

The fun, free event is open to everyone, of all ages and abilities on Sunday 24^th September 0930 – 12:30pm. There is no need to register.  Simply turn up and enjoy the traffic free cycle!

There will be lots of sporting and creative activities at the two hubs located at Botanic Gardens and Belfast City Hall as well as along the route itself; which runs from Botanic Avenue, Shaftesbury Square, Dublin Road, Bedford Street and Donegall Square West.  Route activity includes; music from Ulster Orchestra, buskers, circus entertainment, athletics, hip hop dancers, bling your bike, BMX demos, a 40 foot haulage truck to educate drivers and cyclists on road safety – plus much more!

Spanish for cycle freeway, Ciclovia Belfast features the closing of a section of streets to allow cyclists, of all ages and abilities, to cycle a traffic-free route. Ciclovia is an international phenomenon with many cities across the globe, including New York and Paris, staging their own version.

The aim of Ciclovia Belfast is to promote community cohesion as well as physical and mental well-being and this year the Ciclovia Belfast team hope to see increased participant numbers.

To help participants get ready for Ciclovia Belfast a range of bike shops in the Greater Belfast area are offering free bikes checks – see website for details. If you want to take part but don’t have a bike – don’t worry you can hire a bike from one of the Belfast Bikes docks located along the Ciclovia Route.

Johnny Davis from Pioneer Group, Ciclovia Belfast event organisers, commented:

“When we piloted Ciclovia Belfast in 2015 we knew from participant feedback that there was a huge appetite for this event. Over the past two years we have seen cyclists of all ages and abilities take to the Belfast streets. We have had young first time cyclists with stabilisers to families on tandems and it has been a joy to watch.  With the help of key partners including Belfast City Council, Public Health Agency and Department For Infrastructure our aim is to make this year’s Ciclovia Belfast the biggest and best yet but we can only do this with the help of the participants.  We hope that lots of people will join us on the cycle freeway on Sunday 24^th September and help us make ensure that Ciclovia Belfast 2017 becomes a regular fixture on the city’s event calendar.”

 

So get on your bike, get your friends on their bikes and cycle traffic-free in the heart of Belfast on Sunday 24^th September 0930 – 12:30pm.  Also, there will be an official cycle along the Ciclovia Route with the Lord Mayor of Belfast at 10am at College Park East (McClay Library) entrance to Botanic Gardens.
Make sure you follow Ciclovia Belfast on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @CicloviaBelfast #CicloviaBelfast and www.cicloviabelfast.com. We need you to help spread the word and help make this the biggest and best Ciclovia Belfast yet.

 

 

Join one of Ireland’s leading entertainers as he keeps you amused in an evening of songs and craic at Theatre at The Mill on Thursday 21 September.

Ritchie Remo is fast becoming one of the most sought after singers on the Irish country circuit.

With songs such as ‘Hit The Diff’, ‘Honey I’m Good’ and his current single ‘Galway Girls’, there is sure to be something for all the family.

Ritchie and his band roll into Theatre at The Mill, Newtownabbey for part five of the #CountryBoy tour.

This tour also includes a visually spectacular lighting show and as always there will be a surprise or two. Come along and see the show that everyone is talking about.

Tickets are available from Box Office T: 028 9034 0202 or online at theatreatthemill.com